We've known for a while that the PlayStation 4 will release on November 15 in the US. But what about the Xbox One? Up until today, we only had vague references to "November." Well, Microsoft finally spilled the beans on the Xbox One's release date, along with some details about the console's processor and production status.

The Xbox One will launch on November 22. Whereas the PS4's release is staggered globally (Nov. 15 in the US and Canada, Nov. 29 in the Europe, Australia, and Latin American markets), all 13 initial markets will get the Xbox One on that Nov. 22 release date. For those keeping score at home, that includes Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, the UK, and the US.

With the console's release less than three months away, it shouldn't be too big of a surprise that Microsoft has already shifted into full production for the Xbox One. That alone probably doesn't mean a lot to us, but it does tell us that Microsoft's trains are running on schedule, and we aren't looking at any major delays.

The Xbox team also announced that they've boosted the system's processor speed by about ten percent. So the previously-announced 1.6 GHz CPU will now be clocked at 1.75 GHz. A 150 Mhz speed boost probably isn't going to change a lot on the consumer end, but, who knows, maybe it will help that climactic moment in Ryse: Son of Rome to run just a hair more smoothly.

Finally, if you're the type who likes to invite seven of your friends over for some intense local multiplayer action, then you'll be happy to know that the Xbox One will support up to eight wireless controllers. That doubles the four controllers that the PS4 (as well as the Xbox 360) allows.

So there you have it. You know we're getting closer to the big console launches, as more and more mysteries are being cleared up. Maybe now we can turn our focus more to the games, including those eight Xbox One exclusives that you'll only be able to play on Microsoft's upcoming console.

Will Shanklin is Gizmag's Mobile Tech Editor, and has been part of the team since 2012. Will has a Master's degree from U.C. Irvine and a Bachelor's from West Virginia University. He currently lives in New Mexico with his wife, Jessica.All articles by Will Shanklin

The amount of sales this is going to drive is probably nearly zero. How many people are swinging to one or the other like they where political parties?

Ben Tumaru O'Brien 4th September, 2013 @ 08:38 am PDT

Some of the better news out of MSFT this week. I know I'm looking forward to getting my ONE!

Facebook User 4th September, 2013 @ 11:26 am PDT

Don't be so sure Ben

I've been a mad X-Box supporter for years but the 'online only' and other dick moves they've tried to pull have got me thinking.

Add to that I'll have to start my collection from scratch since neither are reverse compatible, the fact that I don't play online, the kinect is a wank, and some fond nostalgic memories of the original Playstation...

I'll be having a wait-see and snapping up cheaper 360 games, so might others.